Tower 10 IPA | Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Brewed by:
Karl Strauss Brewing Company
California, United States
karlstrauss.com
Style: American IPA
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 6.50%
Availability: Rotating
Notes / Commercial Description:
Tower 10 IPA boasts hops from beginning to end, and everywhere in between. We fill the brew kettle to the brim with assertive Chinook hops, giving the beer its intense grapefruit and pine flavors that linger through its dry finish. After fermentation, we dry hop with a blend of Cascade and Centennial hops for a floral citrus aroma. A touch of lightly kilned caramel malts make Tower 10 a well balanced, full flavored IPA.
Mission Beach, the late 1980s. Amid a sea of neon bikinis, Tower 10 marked the spot where two college grads and a 75 year-old master brewer drew up plans for the first local craft brewery in San Diego since Prohibition. Named in honor of our first good idea, Tower 10 IPA is brewed to inspire the next one.
Added by Overlord on 03-15-2009
Ratings: 432 | Reviews: 122
3.27/5 rDev -10.9%
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.75 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.29/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.29/5 rDev -10.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.25
3.31/5 rDev -9.8%
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.75 | smell: 2.75 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.5
3.34/5 rDev -9%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
3.36/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A nice solid effort, though nothing special. Drank a couple of these just killing time at Lindbergh field. Nice copper color, with a thin white head. Smells malty and piney. Tastes malty, with some decent citrus hop flavors (grapefruit) and a nice lingering hoppy finish.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
A nice solid effort, though nothing special. Drank a couple of these just killing time at Lindbergh field. Nice copper color, with a thin white head. Smells malty and piney. Tastes malty, with some decent citrus hop flavors (grapefruit) and a nice lingering hoppy finish.
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3.36/5 rDev -8.4%
look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A - Pours a light golden colour with a large white head that dissipates a little.
S - Massive citrus including sweet pineapple, lemon, grapefruit. Very sweet.
T - The sweetness aromas seem to disappear and I get more of a mild bitterness, some grapefruit and lemon at the finish.
M - A little over carbonated although light to medium bodied
O - Actually don't mind it but lacks a little in full flavour for an IPA. Aromas upfront though are impressive.
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look: 3.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 3 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
A - Pours a light golden colour with a large white head that dissipates a little.
S - Massive citrus including sweet pineapple, lemon, grapefruit. Very sweet.
T - The sweetness aromas seem to disappear and I get more of a mild bitterness, some grapefruit and lemon at the finish.
M - A little over carbonated although light to medium bodied
O - Actually don't mind it but lacks a little in full flavour for an IPA. Aromas upfront though are impressive.
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3.39/5 rDev -7.6%
look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
12 ounce bottle poured into a Belgian style tulip glass
A: Looks really good in the glass, nice orange amber color with a white creamy head, clear, nice lacing.
A: not much not the aroma, some slight hop aroma, very little.
T: just like the nose, slight hop flavor, it's more malty than hoppy, some bitterness on the back end, some alcohol, just not impressed with the flavor, kind of dull.
M: besides the appearance, this may the beer's best strength, has a nice medium body mouthfeel.
O: was expecting a little more than this, not a lot of hops, more malty, the bottle says 12/07/14, not sure if this is a best by date or bottled on date, either way, there are far better IPAs out there than this. It's good, it's quality but it's not a beer I would come back to. If I do try it again it has to be on tap to see if there is a difference between the bottled and keg version.
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look: 4.25 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.25
12 ounce bottle poured into a Belgian style tulip glass
A: Looks really good in the glass, nice orange amber color with a white creamy head, clear, nice lacing.
A: not much not the aroma, some slight hop aroma, very little.
T: just like the nose, slight hop flavor, it's more malty than hoppy, some bitterness on the back end, some alcohol, just not impressed with the flavor, kind of dull.
M: besides the appearance, this may the beer's best strength, has a nice medium body mouthfeel.
O: was expecting a little more than this, not a lot of hops, more malty, the bottle says 12/07/14, not sure if this is a best by date or bottled on date, either way, there are far better IPAs out there than this. It's good, it's quality but it's not a beer I would come back to. If I do try it again it has to be on tap to see if there is a difference between the bottled and keg version.
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3.41/5 rDev -7.1%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is dark gold with a white head leaving nice lace.
Smell is a little caramel and citrus, didn't open up much.
Taste is earthy and stemmy hops, big bitterness. Some pine. A little nectarine peaks through the alpha acids, the sweetness a bit more prominent after my palate adjusts to the IBUs. Got some nice fresh hop resins as it warmed.
Mouthfeel is very oily, dry, medium bodied.
Drinkability is pretty good, a fiercely bitter IPA. I prefer more hop flavors though.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Appearance is dark gold with a white head leaving nice lace.
Smell is a little caramel and citrus, didn't open up much.
Taste is earthy and stemmy hops, big bitterness. Some pine. A little nectarine peaks through the alpha acids, the sweetness a bit more prominent after my palate adjusts to the IBUs. Got some nice fresh hop resins as it warmed.
Mouthfeel is very oily, dry, medium bodied.
Drinkability is pretty good, a fiercely bitter IPA. I prefer more hop flavors though.
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3.42/5 rDev -6.8%
look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Drank out of a bottle. Color was gold. Couldn’t see head, film or lacing.
Smell was pine and citrus hops. Slightly bitter sniff.
Citrus was the initial taste. Fairly smooth with a bitter finish.
Medium body. Lively carbonation. Pretty smooth.
Not a bad beer. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I’ll give it another try for sure.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.75 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.25 | overall: 3.25
Drank out of a bottle. Color was gold. Couldn’t see head, film or lacing.
Smell was pine and citrus hops. Slightly bitter sniff.
Citrus was the initial taste. Fairly smooth with a bitter finish.
Medium body. Lively carbonation. Pretty smooth.
Not a bad beer. I wish I could have enjoyed it more, but I’ll give it another try for sure.
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3.43/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Clear amber colored beer a yellowish version of what I call IPA Orange. Medium sized white colored head.
Smell is sweet malt and heavy hops, this has a strong sweet tea scent. Slight eucalyptus smell but sweetness really dominates here. Pretty much the scent of hops and honey.
Starts out sweet and woody with a strong tea flavor. Flavor doesn't change much strong hop tea and on the sweet side.
Mouthfeel is good.
Drinkability is OK, but this is too sweet for me.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3
Clear amber colored beer a yellowish version of what I call IPA Orange. Medium sized white colored head.
Smell is sweet malt and heavy hops, this has a strong sweet tea scent. Slight eucalyptus smell but sweetness really dominates here. Pretty much the scent of hops and honey.
Starts out sweet and woody with a strong tea flavor. Flavor doesn't change much strong hop tea and on the sweet side.
Mouthfeel is good.
Drinkability is OK, but this is too sweet for me.
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3.43/5 rDev -6.5%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.25 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 3.5
3.45/5 rDev -6%
look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear bright honey amber hue which leaves a huge fluffy three finger head that leaves a mountain of froth in the middle and lacing everywhere,the smell is piney hops,bubblegum,citrus and boiled candy,the mouthfeel is just over light bodied and lacking a little and the tastes are pineapple,sherbet,mandarins,citrus and the finish is piney hop bitter and dry,overall its not bad and above average but nothing to write home about cheers.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours a clear bright honey amber hue which leaves a huge fluffy three finger head that leaves a mountain of froth in the middle and lacing everywhere,the smell is piney hops,bubblegum,citrus and boiled candy,the mouthfeel is just over light bodied and lacking a little and the tastes are pineapple,sherbet,mandarins,citrus and the finish is piney hop bitter and dry,overall its not bad and above average but nothing to write home about cheers.
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3.46/5 rDev -5.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours copper with decent clarity, capped with a finger and a half of foam. Decent retention and layers of lacing spread on the glass.
Reserved aroma of bright citrus and pine over a very basic sweet bread and pale malt backbone. No alcohol but nothing is really pronounced here.
Very balanced, even push from some semi sweet malt of caramel, light toffee sweetness and whole grain. Balances the hop flavor of pine and orange citrus. Bitterness provides a big kick and is long lasting as the alcohol peeks it's way through in the finish.
Medium body and adequate carbonation that supports the balance of this beer. Bitter finish not accompanied by much drying and slight burn from the alcohol.
Very balanced, nice feature of flavors but rather common fare for a west coast ipa. Alcohol pretty evident on the finish, 7% might have been a little too ambitious.
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look: 4 | smell: 3 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.5
Pours copper with decent clarity, capped with a finger and a half of foam. Decent retention and layers of lacing spread on the glass.
Reserved aroma of bright citrus and pine over a very basic sweet bread and pale malt backbone. No alcohol but nothing is really pronounced here.
Very balanced, even push from some semi sweet malt of caramel, light toffee sweetness and whole grain. Balances the hop flavor of pine and orange citrus. Bitterness provides a big kick and is long lasting as the alcohol peeks it's way through in the finish.
Medium body and adequate carbonation that supports the balance of this beer. Bitter finish not accompanied by much drying and slight burn from the alcohol.
Very balanced, nice feature of flavors but rather common fare for a west coast ipa. Alcohol pretty evident on the finish, 7% might have been a little too ambitious.
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3.47/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Having peeps that wander down to San Diego now and again, I've heard good things about Karl Strauss, but for whatever reason, I have never been able to find their beers up in the Bay Area. Finally, I've been able to find two: their Tower 10 IPA and Red Trolley Ale.
The Tower 10 pours a light pumpkin color with a small, but tight head, leaving little lacing. The nose is all about the malts, which surprised me. I usually like my IPAs to be more hop-forward, but the balance works here.
It started out with ultra-smooth caramel notes with a sweet citrus finish, but I found that as the beer warmed, it gained a coppery aftertaste. Perhaps it's the hops making their late entrance, but instead of piney/grapefruit goodness, I get to suck on a penny. Maybe this one's gone south.
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look: 3.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3
Having peeps that wander down to San Diego now and again, I've heard good things about Karl Strauss, but for whatever reason, I have never been able to find their beers up in the Bay Area. Finally, I've been able to find two: their Tower 10 IPA and Red Trolley Ale.
The Tower 10 pours a light pumpkin color with a small, but tight head, leaving little lacing. The nose is all about the malts, which surprised me. I usually like my IPAs to be more hop-forward, but the balance works here.
It started out with ultra-smooth caramel notes with a sweet citrus finish, but I found that as the beer warmed, it gained a coppery aftertaste. Perhaps it's the hops making their late entrance, but instead of piney/grapefruit goodness, I get to suck on a penny. Maybe this one's gone south.
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3.47/5 rDev -5.4%
look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nice to see Karl Strauss is producing beers with a bit o' gonads, finally.
Nice appearance, amber-hued. Good nose. Got a bit of earth with the citrus hop notes. Taste clean, hops are mostly coming through with a citrus meets a hint of...maybe pine. Finishes nicely, overall a consistent delivery of flavor.
After many years, I am willing to go back and give a few more tries to K Strauss. Happy to see them grow & expand their offerings.
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look: 3 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3.5 | overall: 3.5
Nice to see Karl Strauss is producing beers with a bit o' gonads, finally.
Nice appearance, amber-hued. Good nose. Got a bit of earth with the citrus hop notes. Taste clean, hops are mostly coming through with a citrus meets a hint of...maybe pine. Finishes nicely, overall a consistent delivery of flavor.
After many years, I am willing to go back and give a few more tries to K Strauss. Happy to see them grow & expand their offerings.
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3.48/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours with a thick finger of good cream colored head that displays decent retention and lacing. Amber in color. Smells of a nice subdued hoppiness with mostly floral and pine along with a definite malt presence. Tastes mostly of piney and resiny hops with a bit of flora. Plenty of malt balance, which works until the finish which is a bit too sweet. Medium in body with a high level of prickly carbonation. A few swirls of the glass can take the head from zero to an inch... too many bubbles. Overall this is a nice IPA for a brewpub, but can't really stand up to to San Diego's other microbreweries in the IPA arena.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 3 | overall: 3.5
Pours with a thick finger of good cream colored head that displays decent retention and lacing. Amber in color. Smells of a nice subdued hoppiness with mostly floral and pine along with a definite malt presence. Tastes mostly of piney and resiny hops with a bit of flora. Plenty of malt balance, which works until the finish which is a bit too sweet. Medium in body with a high level of prickly carbonation. A few swirls of the glass can take the head from zero to an inch... too many bubbles. Overall this is a nice IPA for a brewpub, but can't really stand up to to San Diego's other microbreweries in the IPA arena.
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3.48/5 rDev -5.2%
look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
A - A mixture between honey and amber in color. Decent, white one finger head that actually took a while to settle down leaving some legs on the glass.
S - Very floral, and kind of a tropical sweetness to it. Doesn't smell like a hop blast as there are a good amount of malts lingering around.
T - Pretty bitter without having much flavor in the way of hops. Surprised the hops aren't as fruity/sweet as the beer smells. Lots of malts on the back end, almost finishes like a pilsner. After taste lingers around for a while, which isn't that great.
M - Medium bodied with an impressive amount of carbonation. I actually wish more breweries would have this much carbonation in their IPA's.
O - Just an ok beer. For an IPA the price is right, but could really benefit from adding a little citrus or pine into the mix.
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look: 4 | smell: 3.5 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3
A - A mixture between honey and amber in color. Decent, white one finger head that actually took a while to settle down leaving some legs on the glass.
S - Very floral, and kind of a tropical sweetness to it. Doesn't smell like a hop blast as there are a good amount of malts lingering around.
T - Pretty bitter without having much flavor in the way of hops. Surprised the hops aren't as fruity/sweet as the beer smells. Lots of malts on the back end, almost finishes like a pilsner. After taste lingers around for a while, which isn't that great.
M - Medium bodied with an impressive amount of carbonation. I actually wish more breweries would have this much carbonation in their IPA's.
O - Just an ok beer. For an IPA the price is right, but could really benefit from adding a little citrus or pine into the mix.
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Tower 10 IPA from Karl Strauss Brewing Company
3.67
out of 5
based on 432 ratings.
look: 2.5 | smell: 4 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 2.5 | overall: 2.5
Poured on-tap in downtown San Diego at the Columbia Street brewpub. The beer was poured into a pint glass, and it pours a bright yellow-gold color, with no head. There is a pleasant nose of hops and basil, with piney undertones. There is a light hop forward flavor, followed by a huge hop explosion on the finish. There is a bitter and empty aftertaste, with a chemical taste to it. The aftertaste alone ruins what was ramping up to be an enjoyable beer. That chemcial feel and taste makes the beer very difficult to drink. Too bad...
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